Netanyahu's clandestine trip to hospital fuels talk of succession

The Israeli Zionist Union submitted a bill that would require Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appoint a vice prime minister so it would be clear who would replace him if he is unable to function, the Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.

Netanyahu gave Israeli Interior Minister Silvan Shalom the title of vice premier, which has no legal significance.

He declined requests by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and Transportation Minister Israel Katz for the title of vice prime minister that would make them prime minister if Netanyahu were incapacitated.

Zionist Union faction head Merav Michaeli submitted the bill on Monday night following a report on Channel 2 that Netanyahu recently underwent two medical procedures in which he was put under general anesthesia. Michaeli submitted a similar bill in the previous Knesset.

“We cannot rely on the prime minister to appoint a replacement, so he must be obligated to appoint one by law,” Michaeli said. “Thank God, Ariel Sharon appointed one or we would have been in trouble.”

The Prime Minister’s Office responded by releasing Netanyahu’s medical report that shows he is in good shape. Netanyahu’s associates denied that he was put to sleep.